We're Jennifer and Jonathan, makers of modern art canvas prints for children at FatandAppy.com. Jonathan is the author + illustrator of four children's books published by Penguin USA. Jennifer is a novelist and the author of ThePenzy.com.

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How to Be Creative When You Are Exhausted: 3 Things You Need to Know

When people find out you have written a book, they often will share that they, too, have a book idea. It’s in their head, this book, and one day, they will write it down.

I get it, I really do.

Most of us–all of us, really–have something creative inside that’s yearning to get out. We have been blessed with a gem of creativity and before long…it starts to rattle and roll around our heads and hearts until we just know that it must come out. Maybe it’s a new recipe, maybe it’s starting a blog or a book, maybe it’s taking a photography class to finally master that new DSLR.

Whatever it is, this creative nugget can wither in the face of life. In the face of reality. The just getting up and getting on can smother even the most elegant and eye-popping ideas.

I know tiredness. I know messy houses with clean laundry piled high waiting for the folding fairies to show up. I know the exhaustion that comes from starting the day early with small children, commuting to an office, doing good, hard work, and then returning to love those children with dinner, baths, books and prayers.

After that, what’s left? A scrap of an hour? But what of bills, organizing, phone calls with sisters, or a quiet chat with your spouse? How does anything creative get done in a home like this?

I’m only an expert in my own life (and Jonathan would say his, as well, ha!) but here are three things that have helped us. I hope they can be of use to you, too.

1. Communicate to the people who live in your house what you will be doing.

I have a persistent child who loves to draw out bedtime so it’s about two hours long. If I give in to her nightly demands, I would never write another word in my life. So, I say to the older girls: “Mommy is putting you to bed at 7:45. You can read for a while, but I am going downstairs and writing.” They hardly ever argue when I set up the evening like this.

You have to draw the line in the sand for your time to be creative. Protect that space. Maybe your time is your lunch hour when you walk to a coffee shop and bang out some words on your tablet at a dented coffee table (I’ve done this). Or perhaps you trade babysitting with another mom so you can attend a Craftsy class while the house is quiet.

I know some of you are thinking: “But I am tired and you’re telling me to work more!” Yep, I sure am. Trust me on this one: when you step into that magic hour, you will work hard. But you’ll come out jazzed, energized, more alive. And the best part? You won’t be resentful or snippy because you are doing what you are supposed to do: fulfilling your calling.

2. Accept that you cannot do everything. And then do just one thing.

We are launching an online store to sell stretched canvas prints of some of Jonathan’s designs. My to-do list is a mile long as we get ready to roll out the store to bloggers, designers and our art supporters. My head could spin, but I learned long ago that today only has a few things on the list. Maybe five, sometimes just one. You’ll get better at figuring out what goes on the list, but here’s a hint: When it’s on the list, it gets done. That’s because you’ve given it a sacred place on the list, and you have focused your heart and mind on it.

It does no good to make lists that you cannot do. If you cannot devote an hour to writing a blog post, then don’t add it to the list. Instead, your list should include the things you can do. Maybe it’s Return Liz’s email and Send invoice to client.

3. Never, ever compare yourself with anyone else’s success.

You’ve finally stepped into that magic hour. The work is happening and you take a moment to read a favorite blogger. She’s just announced her new book contract, her development deal with a cable network and she tops it off by sharing glamorous photos from a recent trip to New York (sponsored by Glade!)

This is what you must know:you will drain away your last resources if you waste a moment of jealousy on someone else’s success.

You don’t want her troubles, and she doesn’t want yours.

Let it go, wish the wonderful writer/artist/actor/mom well and go back to your journey. Your gift is something the world needs and even though you are exhausted, it’s up to you to make it happen. Being resentful or spiteful or envious only hurts your creative offering because we might not get to see it. Discouragement is an ugly step-sister to jealousy.

Guard your time well. Be grateful for your opportunities, even when they happen quietly, out of the public eye. Give thanks for each spark of genius you have. And may you have many more.

What about you? How are you creative even when exhausted? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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7 thoughts on “How to Be Creative When You Are Exhausted: 3 Things You Need to Know”

Hi Aunt Laura, I think I have mentioned my novels from time to time here. I AM writing another book, this time a middle-grade adventure novel. It’s going slowly, but I am posting here from time to time. Jonathan is doing the illustrations. It’s called Ellicott Raintree and His Magical Daughters.